When you take a long look at the Switch eShop, aside from all of the different genres and subgenres represented, you’ll also see a range of titles representing different levels of intensity. Right next to some white-knuckle twitch-fest you’ll find cozy casual games and everything in between. Bearing that in mind, choosing to make titles that slow things down and perhaps are a little more approachable is valid, even if that can also make it all seem a little dull. 

Doll Defenders falls into this category in my mind, offering up a relatively simple challenge of you working to defend a statue from increasingly tougher enemies. Initially armed with a sword, you’ll then be able to upgrade to a more formidable weapon of your choice once you can afford them, but in terms of action that’s really about it. I suppose you could also be excited at the prospect of rescuing some hunky heroes as well, though since that merely consists of them standing there for a moment uncaged I’m not sure that’s as much of a reward as the developers were trying to sell.

The problem? It’s just pretty bland. Yes, the enemies take more damage and can be trickier as they come from all sides, but fundamentally it’s just more of the same with different elements on the board in a few different locations. I suppose it could be fun for less experienced gamers, since the climb of difficulty is on the slow side. But given that the controls are just adequate and the rewards for extended playing are minimal outside of just saying you did it, the value proposition is limited. It’s great that there’s a place for everything in the eShop, but that doesn’t make it all worth your time or money either.